Advanced imaging to finally catch the elusive molecules behind cellular self-cannibalism

The bulk degradation of portions of the cell under stress conditions appears self-cannibalistic and in conflict with attempts at survival. At closer inspection however, this process - known as ‘autophagy’ - demonstrates creative destruction that contributes to cell health and survival. With well-established links to tumourigenesis and neurodegenerative disorders, autophagy is intensively researched for therapeutics goals, but a great deal of the molecular mechanisms coordinating it remain unknown. I will discuss how fluorescence lifetime imaging will help us untangle the protein interactions and how we are advancing FLIM with breakthrough detector technology to detect dynamic protein interactions in real-time and with confidence.